Countries around the world are holding celebratory events to welcome in 2010. New Year arrived first in the South Pacific. At midnight local time (1100 GMT) fireworks were set off over Auckland's Sky Tower in New Zealand.
A massive fireworks display has taken place in Sydney, Australia, with some 5,000kg of explosives sent up around around the famous harbour bridge.
Fireworks were launched from the bridge, from boats in the harbour and from buildings around the waterfront.
An estimated 1.5 million attended the city's dramatic show.
Crowds had been gathering since the early morning, some of them camping overnight to secure the best vantage point for the 12-minute midnight fireworks display.
